After $3 million worth of Kratom is seized, FDA continued to warn of its dangers

In an import warning that has been in effect for many years, the FDA has determined that Kratom and dietary supplements containing this herb are adulterated.

Mithragina, commonly known as Kratom, is a plant that grows as a shrub or small tree. It is native to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. In recent years, this plant has gained a following due to its alleged pain control effect and its ability to help people quit the use of opioids.

 Because kratom acts on opioid receptors in the same way as opioid itself, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has always considered that this substance has the risk of addiction. This plant is not classified as a controlled drug, but the Anti Drug Administration lists it as a "drug of concern and chemical."

 Dr. Judy McMeekin, Deputy Director of Regulatory Affairs at the US Food and Drug Administration, said at a press conference at the US Department of Justice, "This lockdown highlights our commitment to take proactive action when companies sell products containing dangerous ingredients such as Kratom. We will continue to protect consumers from illegal sales of products that do not comply with FDA regulations.”

A 2022 study found that nearly one-third of people in the United States who use Kratom meet the criteria for Kratom use disorders, including tolerance, withdrawal, smoking cessation failure, and craving. In recent years, research has also linked Kratom with liver injury and death, but it has also been recognized that this plant is a safer pain treatment option than opioid drugs. A review published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology in 2021 found that compared to traditional opioid drugs, Kratom can alleviate pain, cause mild euphoria, and have a lower risk of adverse effects on the respiratory and nervous systems. However, its use is associated with hepatotoxicity, seizures and death. A 2020 study also found that Kratom users in the United States are generally more likely to abuse drugs than those who use marijuana, alcohol, or cigarettes.

“If it is ever studied to a point that the FDA puts its thumb of approval on it, it will be in a purified form and there will be data that shows its safety, “ Saids Dr. Alan Kaye, a professor of anesthesiology and pharmacology at LSU in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Currently, the US Food and Drug Administration continues to advise people not to take Kratom.